Modular racking system and methods of use and manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments are directed to a modular assembly for housing at least one object. The modular assembly can include multiple elongated support members each including an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at least partially non-linear. The assembly can also include multiple brace members that each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end of another support member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No.:2017903798, filed on Sep. 18, 2017, the content of which is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Some embodiments relate to modular racking assemblies, methods of usingsuch assemblies, and methods of manufacturing modular rackingassemblies. Some of these embodiments are directed to repeating bottlerack units for providing a reconfigurable modular racking system that isusable for storage and for providing an aesthetically pleasing displayof bottles.

Wine has been a popular beverage for thousands of years and stillremains a particularly popular beverage among adult drinkers of manyages and cultural backgrounds. Many social drinkers prefer thenon-carbonated and robust taste of wine over beer and other tonicbeverages. Many people enjoy wine as a vital compliment to a meal as itoffers a vast number of options in choice of style, variety and origin.Indeed, in recent years medical research has provided evidence showingthat the moderate consumption of wine may result in improved healthbenefits; including a lower risk of heart disease, lower mortalityrates, a reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes, a lower risk of stroke,cataracts and colon cancer. This further attracts many wine lovers andother health conscientious social drinkers toward selecting wine overother options.

Most wine lovers store wine at home primarily for consumption in theirhomes. This avoids the inflated cost of wine at restaurants or bars, andit allows drinkers to enjoy wine with meals or at social gatherings.

Wine is normally distributed and stored in glass bottles with a corkstopper, as the seepage of oxygen into a bottle of wine will eventuallyoxidise the wine turning it to vinegar. Over time, cork stoppers shrinkand allow external air to enter the wine bottle; therefore, it isrecommended that wine bottles be stored or placed on their side to keepthe cork stopper wet and thereby avoid the penetration of oxygen in thebottle.

The storage of many bottles of wine can have significant spacerequirements and can ruin the home's decor. In addition, it may causedifficulty in locating and retrieving a desired variety or type of wine.Therefore, many wine drinkers prefer to use wine racks to store anddisplay their wine in their homes.

Similar challenges exist for collectors of specialist beers, ciders andspirits. Oxidation of these beverages may also be minimised by storingbottles on their sides. Furthermore, bottles stored in this waycontribute a pleasant aesthetic to the home or the retail store.

A wine or bottle rack is an assembled structure that is used to store,display or organise wine or other bottled products. Wine racks may bebuilt out of many different materials. The size of the rack and thenumber of bottles it holds can vary widely. Wine racks may be used inwine cellars, in retail stores or in homes for personal collections.

Ideally, wine racks may also add ambience to a room and add atmospherewhile providing an attractive and space-efficient display to store manywine bottles. Often home owners seek out stylish wine racks that areboth functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Traditionally,consumers have been hesitant to display their wine in racks in theirhome fearing that they may be an eyesore.

Numerous types of bottle racks are available in the marketplace for thestorage and display of bottled products. Racks are made in various sizesand may be free standing structures, wall mounted structures, or evensmall structures for counters. They are usually made up of wood, wire,or metal.

SUMMARY

Related art wine racks can be large and bulky. The prescribed dimensionsof such wine racks are not necessarily suitable for all consumers andare difficult to transport from one place to another. The lack ofmobility of wine racks is a big issue; particularly where large winebottle consignments are intermittently transported to wine stores orrestaurants where large-scale wine storage is anticipated within aconfined space for the gradual consumption of wine over time.

Related art wine racks are normally available in very confined square orcircular compartments, to maximize the number of bottles that may bestored. They are often configured to stand against a wall or as a roomdivider. The compartments typically extend orthogonally from a wall andthe wine bottles are inserted first at the bottom shelf, with the neckand cork of the bottle visible from the outside. Many conventional wineracks are also built in fixed unit sizes that either do not fill anentire wall space and waste the available space; or are of a muchgreater capacity than the consumer needs leading to much wasted spacefor consumers who only wish to store a few bottles of wine in the rack.

Limited modularity in certain wine racking systems has been achieved byusing several small wine racks and stacking them next to and on top ofeach other. However, these systems are structurally unstable and canlead to much wasted space. Such systems may also be problematic becauseeach racking unit is composed of a complete, smaller rack where theindividual parts may not be interchangeable or replaceable. The entirerack may become useless if part of one unit is misplaced or damaged. Ifthe individual components are not available for sale, then users may berequired to buy a complete new kit.

Other related art modular racking systems include shelves that contain acircular bottle holder to fit the wine bottle therein at an anglesufficient enough for the cork to stay wet.

Related art wine racks are limited in their reconfigurability and aregenerally not designed or engineered to withstand larger formats ofconstruction adequate to support the weight of wine or other contentsstored therein. For instance, a typical timber and iron constructedmodular racking system is currently marketed with only up to one hundredand twenty bottle spaces due to a lack of stability of the rack onceconstructed. Such wine racks can only hold narrower or standard sizedwine bottles.

Custom racking systems provide consumers with modular design optionswhere the shape of the rack and the number of bottles to be stored canbe varied by adding or removing various components. These modularracking systems may be built by assembling structural components to adesired size at the time of installation by either the retailer or theconsumer. However, such constructions are often complicated, and theirassembly is often outside of the competency of many consumers,particularly if numerous parts are required to build the custom rack.Furthermore, they cannot be reconfigured, or they may lack aestheticappeal.

Therefore, it may be advantageous to provide modular racking systemsthat are expandable in both a horizontal and vertical direction by usingof a small number of components that are simple to assemble, may betransported in a compact container, and/or that may be configured intoaesthetically pleasing designs.

Some embodiments relate to a modular assembly for housing at least oneobject. The modular assembly can include multiple elongated supportmembers that each include an elongated body portion and a pair ofseparated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple groovesthat are each at least partially non-linear. The assembly can alsoinclude multiple brace members that each include a central portion and apair of spaced non-linear end portions, each non-linear end portionbeing shaped to occupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, suchthat one non-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to atleast partially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one supportmember while the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member isable to at least partially occupy another groove of another connectingend of another support member. The multiple brace members can beconfigured such that partially occupying the non-linear end portions ofthe multiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongatedsupport members defines a space sufficient for housing the at least oneobject.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachelongated support member is unitary.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachnon-linear end portion is configured for insertion into each groove viathe opening at the end face.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachbrace member is configured such that the non-linear central portion islinear, and the non-linear portions are disposed at opposing ends of thelinear central portion.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachnon-linear end portion includes a curved section that spansapproximately 90°.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachnon-linear end portion includes a linear section disposed at an end ofthe curved section opposite the central portion, such that an end of thelinear section defines a face that is approximately perpendicular to aface of the central portion.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachbrace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions extendfrom the central portion in opposite directions such that each bracemember is approximately S-shaped.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachelongated support member is formed of acetonitrile butadiene styrene.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachbrace member is formed of a metal or metal alloy.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachbrace member is formed of coated steel.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachbrace member is configured such that the non-linear end portions havedyadic rotational symmetry.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachconnecting end defines a pair of grooves such that non-linear endportions of two different brace members are able to at least partiallyoccupy the pair of grooves, such that the central portions of the twodifferent brace members are perpendicular.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachconnecting end also defines a second pair of grooves such thatnon-linear end portions of another two different brace members are ableto at least partially occupy the second pair of grooves, such that thecentral portions of the other two brace members are perpendicular.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein themultiple support members and the multiple brace members can beconfigured to form a prism-shaped assembly.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein theobject is a 1-liter wine bottle, and the elongated support members andthe brace members are configured such that the central portions and thebody portions are of a sufficient length such that the space issufficient to house the 1-liter wine bottle.

Some embodiments are directed to such a modular assembly wherein eachbody portion is longer than each central portion.

Some embodiments are directed to method of manufacturing a modularassembly that is configurable to house at least one object. The methodcomprising forming multiple elongated support members that each includean elongated body portion and a pair of separated connecting ends, eachconnecting end defining multiple grooves that are each at leastpartially non-linear. The method can also include forming multiple bracemembers that each include a central portion and a pair of spacednon-linear end portions, each non-linear end portion being shaped tooccupy one of the grooves of the connecting ends, such that onenon-linear brace portion of each brace member is able to at leastpartially occupy one groove of one connecting end of one support memberwhile the other non-linear end portion of the one brace member is ableto at least partially occupy another groove of another connecting end ofanother support member. The multiple brace members can be configuredsuch that partially occupying the non-linear end portions of themultiple brace members in the grooves of the multiple elongated supportmembers defines a space sufficient for housing the at least one object.

Some embodiments are directed to such a method that also includesforming each brace member unitarily.

Some embodiments are directed to such a method that also includesforming each elongated support member of acetonitrile butadiene styrene.

As used herein, the term “modular” and any pluralisations or derivativesthereof are to be understood as defining structures that include atleast one module with one or more units that may repeat or may beextended upon to form many structures of various design or scale.

As used herein, the term “reconfigurable” and any pluralisations orderivatives thereof such as “reconfigurability” and the like, are to beunderstood to include structures that may be constructed in one form,configuration, shape or embodiment and may further be deconstructed intoone or more parts and may be reassembled to form at least one otherform, configuration, shape or embodiment.

A modular bottle racking assembly according to some embodiments may beformed as a fixed storage unit for maintaining and storing individualbottles therein. A modular bottle racking assembly may be formed frommultiple bottle rack units, where each unit is repeated within the rackand, optionally, each unit holds one bottle therein. A series of bottlerack units or portions thereof may provide a reconfigurable bottleracking system, wherein a system may provide more than one configurationof bottle rack. Bottle racking assemblies according to some embodimentsmay be configured as any one of a number of bottle racking systems ofvarious shapes or configurations. Each system may include any one of anumber of combinations of bottle rack units.

A first bottle rack unit may include four elongated support members andeight brace members for storing one bottle therein. The unit may beextended upon by incorporating additional elongated support members andbrace members. For instance, a second additional unit may be formed byadding two additional elongated support members and six additional bracemembers.

The bottles that may be stored in the bottle rack may include, but arenot limited to bottles of wine, spirits, beer, ciders or the like.

The elongated support members according to some embodiments may includea elongated body portion terminating at each end with a connecting end.The elongated body portion may be formed as a star-shaped rod furtherincluding four arms extending to a connecting end wherein each end maybe 1-5 mm wider than the width of each arm and may be fixed to theconnecting end.

The arms on the elongated body portion may be formed for supportingdifferent sized or shaped bottles including narrower bottles, such asrieslings, standard sized bottles or large bottles such as magnums,therein. The arms may also provide a guide for the bottle to slide insmoothly as it is being inserted.

The shape of the elongated body portion may be designed to impede orprevent bottles from touching one another, thereby preventing breakageof any bottle stored within the bottle rack unit.

The elongated body portion and the connecting ends of a elongatedsupport member may be shaped in a box, star, moon or any other shape;wherein the selection of shape may be made on the basis of the processof manufacture, the material used for forming the elongated supportmember, or the structural integrity of the shape which may furtherprovide improved packaging efficiency and cost savings for scaledproduction.

The elongated body portion may be oriented substantially perpendicularlyto each connecting end and each brace member, and substantially parallelto each elongated body portion in both the horizontal or verticalorientation.

The length of the elongated body portion may be shorter than the lengthof the bottles. Typically, the length may be determined in such a waythat when a bottle racking system is constructed, the neck and base of abottle may rest on the brace member(s).

The elongated support member may be manufactured by injection mouldingsuitable materials. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may selectsuitable materials on the basis of cost, ease of processing, strength,durability, flexibility, aesthetic appearance or other qualitiesdesirable for constructing a bottle rack.

In some embodiments, the elongated support member is formed frompolymeric material, such as a plastic material. Suitable materials maybe selected on the basis of the untinted pigmentation of the materialand whether this pigmentation is desirable as the finished colour of theproduct component. Alternatively, the elongated support or theconnecting ends may be formed from polymeric material, such as a plasticmaterial.

The connecting ends according to some embodiments may be formed in astar shape. They may include at least two or more curved grooves whereineach groove includes an opening for receiving a curved end portion ofthe brace member. The connecting ends may include four curved groovesand each curved end portion of a flat brace member is formed insubstantially the same shape as one of the curved grooves.

The internal surface of the curved grooves includes a series of smallprotrusions that assist in gripping the brace member. The curved groovesmay be formed using a custom built jig fabricated during themanufacturing tooling process.

The connecting ends of the elongated support may be moulded, or they maybe available separately.

In one form, a elongated support member includes a elongated bodyportion and the connecting ends wherein the elongated body portion andthe connecting ends are formed integrally.

In another form, the elongated support member is formed from multipleindividual pieces. The elongated body portion and the connecting endsmay be formed as separate pieces. The connecting ends may include acentral threaded screw portion for threading into the elongated bodyportion, which in turn, includes a threaded cavity end for maintainingthe connecting end therein. Alternatively, the elongated body portionmay include a wedge at each terminal end of the portion that fits withina cavity formed within the connecting ends.

The elongated body portion of several embodiments may be formed as astar shaped rod including four arms. The connecting ends may be formedas star shaped connectors including two or more curved grooves.

The elongated body portion may be formed as box, star, or in any otherform wherein the selection may be made on the basis of the process ofmanufacture, or the material used for forming the elongated supportmember. This may further provide improved packaging efficiency andcost-savings in the mass production of the elongated body portion.

The connecting ends may be formed as box, star, or in any other formwherein the selection may be made on the basis of the process ofmanufacture, or the material used for forming the elongated supportmember. The selection of a shape or form of the elongated body portionmay be based on providing better packaging efficiency or cost savings inthe scaled production of the connecting ends.

The brace members according to some embodiments may include a bottlebracing central portion which may be formed as a flat metallic sectionterminating with a curved end portion at each end wherein, each curvedend portion faces in opposing directions.

The brace member may be formed from a metal or a metal alloy strip. Thebrace member may also terminate in curved end portions having dyadicrotational symmetry. In addition, each curved end portion may be fixedwithin a curved groove of a connecting end. Advantageously orpreferably, each curved end portion of eight brace members are fixedwithin a curved groove within a connecting end of four elongated supportmembers to form a prism shaped bottle racking unit.

The curved brace may be made from steel or aluminium. However, brushedstainless steel may be the most advantageous or preferred option.Brushed stainless steel may be particularly suitable for constructingbottle racks for providing rigidity and a pleasing aesthetic appearance.A metal coating may be formed or applied either before or after cuttingand shaping the curved brace.

The brace member may be used to form the modular racking system in botha horizontal and vertical direction.

Preferably, the brace members each extend substantially perpendicularlybetween a pair of the elongated support members and are positionedbetween a pair of the connecting ends.

The dyadic rotational symmetry of the brace member according to someembodiments is to be determined with respect to the centre of the bottlebracing portion of the brace member wherein one side of the brace memberfrom the point of centre is rotationally symmetrical to the other sideof the brace member. Whereas, the dyadic rotational symmetry of thecurved end portions are determined with respect to one another ratherthan the centre of bottle bracing portion.

The bottle bracing central portion may be shaped in a flat, curvedportion or the like for cradling the bottles. The central portion mayvary in length. Preferably the central portion is approximately 68.8 mm.The central portion may have a fold. For instance, the fold may enablethe structure to form an angled connection with an adjacent supportmember. This may enable a complete rack to be construed around corners,or to provide for a top display row wherein bottles are maintained at anangle.

The fold may be located centrally on the bottle bracing central portion,or it may be located closer to one of the two curved end portions of thebrace member.

A fold within the bottle bracing central portion may be formed across avertical plane.

The bottle bracing central portion may be formed in a U-shape, asinusoidal shape and angled shape or any other aesthetically pleasingshape. A U-shape may be preferred for maintaining a bottle thereon.

The length of the bottle bracing central portion may be slightly longerthan the approximate diameter of the intended bottles to be stored inthe bottle rack for supporting bottles of various sizes or shapes withina bottle rack unit. One standard bottle rack unit may be formed suchthat the front face of the unit is approximately 135 mm×approximately135 mm.

The brace member may be altered in design and still maintain much thesame functionality For certain embodiment, the radial bend at either endof the brace members forming the curved end portions is provided foraesthetic reasons. However, a design may also be provided with a largeror a smaller radius to provide a bottle rack unit with additionalfunctionality.

The shape of a brace member is critical for stabilising the bottle rackand providing strength and rigidity to large racking systems. The curvedend portions provide support and strength to the bottle rack unitsthereby supporting the bottle racking system. The curvature in thecurved end portions provide greater strength at the points of connectionof components, which would otherwise be a point of weakness in largerwine rack structures. The curved end portions also preventing breakageof bottles; which may otherwise occur if the curved end portions are notfixed properly into the corresponding curved grooves.

The curved end portion of a brace member is fixed within a curved grooveof a connecting end of the elongated support member wherein each curvedgroove includes an opening for receiving a curved end portion of thebrace member. The internal surface of curved grooves includes a seriesof small protrusions that assist in gripping the curve end portion of abrace member. The engagement between the connecting end and the curvedend portion reduces the risk of components disengaging, which mayotherwise occur if the curved end portions of the brace member were notcurved and were simply slotted into the elongated support member. Thecurved end portions may form an arc of between 45 degrees and 270degrees, preferably an arc is formed at about 90 degrees.

Thus, a first bottle rack unit may include four elongated supportmembers and eight brace members for storing one bottle therein. A bottlerack unit may be prism-shaped, a rectangular cuboid, or the like therebyproviding sufficient support to a bottle maintained within thestructure. The unit may be extended upon by adding additional elongatedsupport members and brace members. For instance, a second additionalunit may be formed by adding two additional elongated support membersand six additional brace members.

One or more bottle rack units may be used to configure or reconfigure abottle racking system into different shapes and sizes for storing anddisplaying the bottle racking system in any required space. Forinstance, a bottle racking system may be configured or reconfigured intoa 90-degree angle, an L-shape or any other more complex shape includingthese shapes and conformations. This degree of configurability andreconfigurability enables the bottle racking system to be used at acorner space, or beneath or above a staircase, wherein bottles may bedisplayed around a corner space or under a staircase.

A bottle racking system may be configured or reconfigured as a smallersized bottle racking system, for instance including three or nine bottlerack units, a medium sized bottled racking system, for instanceincluding more than fifteen bottle rack units, or a larger sized bottleracking system, for instance including fifty or more bottle rack units.

In one form, a modular bottle racking assembly further includes at leastone pair of extended brace members wherein each extended brace member islonger than the flat brace members.

The extended brace member may be formed from coated steel, therebyproviding sufficient rigidity or sufficient strength to support theweight of the bottle rack. By transferring the weight of the rack andproduct stored therein through the extended brace member, there extendedbrace member may be used in larger assemblies of the bottle rackingsystem.

Preferably, the curved brace member or the extended brace member may bemade from steel or aluminium. However, coated steel may be the mostpreferred option, particularly brushed stainless steel. Brushedstainless steel steel may be particularly suitable for racks to providegreater durability of the structural component or to provide a pleasantaesthetic appearance.

Extended brace members according to some embodiments may be formed froma metal or metal alloy strip including a bottle bracing central portionhaving an angled fold, and terminating in curved end portions whereineach end portion has dyadic rotational symmetry with respect to theother.

The extended brace member according to some embodiments includes abottle bracing central portion having an angled fold and, optionally,terminating in curved end portions. Each curved end portion may,further, have dyadic rotational symmetry with respect to the other.

Dyadic rotational symmetry of the extended brace member is preferablyformed with respect to the centre of the extended brace member.

The bottle bracing central portion of the extended brace members may bepositioned between a pair of connecting ends of two elongated supportmembers for supporting one bottle thereon, or for displaying the bottleracking system in a corner space.

In one form, each curved end portion of the extended brace members isfixed within a curved groove of a connecting end of the elongatedsupport. Furthermore, each curved groove may include an opening forreceiving a curved end portion of the brace member. The secured or fixedengagement of the connecting end and the curved end portion within thecurved groove reduces the risk of any structural components of theassembly disengaging. This may be the case if the curved end portions ofthe brace member are not curved and simply slotted into a elongatedsupport member.

The angled fold of a bottle bracing central portion may be positioned ata centre or at an off-centre position of a bottle bracing centralportion. The angled fold is particularly useful for displaying thebottle racking system in an angled corner space wherein at least a pairof extended brace members is required to combine one or more bottleracking systems to form an angled bottle racking system.

An angled bottle racking system may be formed using the extended curvedbrace along with a brace curved at approximately 45 degrees. An angledbottle racking system may be displayed in a corner space atapproximately a 90 degree angle which may be able to fill a void cornerspace in homes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen or thelike.

An extended curved brace may be used along with a U-shaped curved bracefor forming an angled top bottle racking system for displaying bottlesat about a 45 degree angle or about a 90 degree angle. The angled topmodular racking system may be placed in any space suitable for fittingan angled top unit. It may also be used in spaces such as mini-barswhere the ceilings are formed at an angle suitable to fit the angled topmodular racking system.

In one form, a method of constructing a modular bottle racking assemblyaccording to some embodiments includes the steps of obtaining themodular bottle racking assembly and positioning each curved end portionof a brace member within a corresponding curved groove of a connectingend.

In another form, a method of constructing a modular bottle rackingassembly includes the steps of obtaining the modular bottle rackingassembly wherein each curved end portion of an extended brace member ispositioned within a corresponding curved groove of a connecting end.

Furthermore, a method of constructing a modular bottle racking assemblyincludes the further steps of obtaining two additional elongatedsupports and six additional flat brace members, and positioning eachadditional curved end portion of each additional flat brace memberwithin a corresponding curved groove of the two additional elongatedsupports or two elongated supports.

The method allows for easy construction and reconfiguration of thebottle racking system.

Modular racking systems greater than 1.2 meters in height may include anoptional wall saddle for fixing assembled rack to a wall by anchoringthe saddle to a solid wall or other structure using typical tetheringanchors suitable for anchoring to the desired structure.

The design of a wall saddle may be modified to hook the saddle onto theelongated support member.

Wall saddles may be used for mounting the modular racking systemshorizontally; that is, with the label facing outwards, wherein themodular racking system is anchored by the wall saddle at the top and atthe base. In one form, horizontal mounting may be used in such a waythat the bottles are displayed back to back. In another form, theconformation of the wall saddle may be adapted to mount the modularracking system at about 90 degrees to the wall such that the bottles aredisplayed in a forward facing orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now bedescribed in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of theapparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a elongated support.

FIG. 1B shows the star-shaped end with four grooves.

FIG. 1C illustrates the star-shaped end with four curved braces withinfour grooves.

FIG. 2 shows a curved brace.

FIG. 3A illustrates the interconnection between two elongated supportsand a curved brace.

FIG. 3B illustrates the interconnection between four elongated supportsand eight curved braces.

FIG. 3C shows one bottle rack unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a elongated support including three parts.

FIG. 5A shows a modular racking system with three bottle rack units.

FIG. 5B shows a modular racking system with nine bottle rack units.

FIG. 5C shows a modular racking system with twenty five bottle rackunits.

FIG. 5D shows a modular racking system with fifty bottle rack units.

FIG. 5E shows an L-shaped modular racking system.

FIG. 5F shows an H-shaped modular racking system.

FIG. 5G shows an under stair modular racking system.

FIG. 6A shows an extended curved brace.

FIG. 6B shows a 45-degree brace.

FIG. 6C shows a U-shaped brace.

FIG. 7A illustrates an angled-corner modular racking system.

FIG. 7B illustrates an angled-top modular racking system.

FIG. 8A shows a wall saddle.

FIG. 8B illustrates a wall saddle fixed to a three-unit rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained indetail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplaryembodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter,not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalentvariations of the various features provided in the description thatfollows.

The following provides a detailed description of several embodimentseach including a bottle rack unit wherein each unit is repeated toprovide a reconfigurable, modular racking system. Additional componentsare also described for reconfiguring the units into various shapes andsizes for storage and display in confined spaces and for cornerdisplays.

Bottle Rack Unit Two Part Unit

The present embodiment is formed from a two part bottle racking unitwhich is constructed from only two different parts; an elongated supportand a curved brace. Four elongated supports and eight curved braces formeach unit which may be repeated to provide a reconfigurable, modularracking system assembly suitable for the storage or display of bottlestherein.

Elongated Support

FIG. 1A illustrates a moulded plastic elongated support 100 formed froma polymeric material by injection moulding processes well known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Elongated support 100 includes astar-shaped rod 102 terminating in two star-shaped opposite ends 150.The star-shaped rod includes four arms 110, 120, 130, 140 extendingtowards its terminating ends 110 a, 120 a, 130 a, 140 a wherein each endis 1-5 mm wider than the width of each arm and is fixed to the twostar-shaped opposite ends 150. The arms on the star-shaped rod providesupport and are spaced to maintain different sized or shaped bottlesthereon which may include narrower bottles like riesling bottles,standard-sized bottles, or large bottles such as magnums.

FIG. 1B and 1C show the star-shaped opposite ends 150 of the elongatedsupport 100 including four grooves 150 a, 150 b, 150 c and 150 d whereineach groove is shaped to maintain a curved brace therein. FIG. 1B showsthe internal surface of grooves 150 a, 150 b, 150 c and 150 d whichinclude a series of small protrusions 152 that assist in gripping thecurved brace 158. FIG. 1C illustrates the fit of curved braces 160within the curved grooves such that they are fixed in place.

Curved Brace

FIG. 2 provides a simple representation of a curved brace 158 formed ofa metal or metal alloy using a custom jig. Curved brace 158 includes aflat metallic section 160 having two opposite ends 160 a and 160 b thatare symmetrically curved in opposing directions.

The shape of curved brace 158 is critical for stabilising the bottlerack and providing strength and rigidity to large racking systems thatare capable of supporting a large number of bottles, and which may beconfigured in varying sizes and shapes.

Connecting the Elongated Support and Curved Brace

FIG. 3A illustrates an interconnecting arrangement between two elongatedsupports 100 and curved brace 158; which are the only two parts of a twopart bottle rack unit. The end of a first curved brace 160 a is threadedinto the curved groove 150 a of the star-shaped end of a first elongatedsupport, and the other end of the first curved brace 160 b is threadedto another groove 170 c of the star-shaped end of a second elongatedsupport such that the entire first curved brace 160 is maintained in afixed position between the first and second elongated supports.

A complete bottle rack unit is constructed in accordance with the aboveapproach of interconnecting the elongated supports 100 and curved braces158 to form a cube shaped structure. FIG. 3B provides an illustration ofa bottle rack unit wherein four elongated supports are interconnectedwith the eight curved braces to form a bottle rack unit to support onebottle. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, one end of a first curved brace 160 ais threaded into the curved groove 150 a of the star-shaped end of firstelongated support, the other end of the first curved brace 160 b isthreaded into another curved groove 170 c of the star-shaped end of asecond elongated support wherein the entire first curved brace 158 ismaintained in a fixed position between the two elongated supports.

A second curved brace 200 is provided wherein one end of a second curvedbrace 200 a is threaded within the groove 170 b of the star-shaped endof the second elongated support and the other end of second curved brace200 b threads within the curved groove 180 d of the star-shaped end ofthird elongated support such that the entire second curved brace 200 ismaintained in a fixed position between the second and third elongatedsupports.

A third curved brace 210 is provided wherein one end of third curvedbrace 210 b is threaded within the groove 180 c of the star-shaped endof third elongated support and the other end of third curved brace 210 ais threaded within the curved groove 190 a of the star-shaped end of afourth elongated support such that the entire third curved brace 210 ismaintained in a fixed position between the third and fourth elongatedsupports.

Similarly, a fourth curved brace 220 is provided wherein one end offourth curved brace 220 b is threaded within the groove 190 d of astar-shaped end of a fourth elongated support and the other end of afourth curved brace 220 a is threaded within the groove 150 b of astar-shaped end of the first elongated support such that the entirefourth curved brace 220 is maintained therein between the fourth andfirst elongated supports.

The other ends of the four elongated supports are interconnected in asimilar fashion using another four curved braces to form one completebottle rack unit 222 shown in FIG. 3C. A mallet may be used to fit thecurved braces within the corresponding grooves of the star-shaped endsof the elongated supports, particularly where the components areprovided to consumers for assembling one or more bottle rack units.

Several elongated supports and curved braces are provided to form amodular racking system.

Three Part Unit

A second embodiment relates to a three part bottle rack unit includingthree main connecting components including a support beam 230 and across connector 240 as illustrated in FIG. 4, and a curved brace 160,wherein the combination of a cross connector 240 and support beam 230functions in a similar manner to a elongated support 100 describedearlier.

The cross connector 240 functions as the star-shaped end 150 of theelongated support 100 and the support beam 230 as the star-shaped rod102 with four arms as described with respect to the two-part unit above.Once a cross connector 240 is fitted onto the opposite terminal ends ofthe support beam 230, it functions in a similar manner to the elongatedsupport discussed above. Several sets of the three part elongatedsupport components are provided together with several curved braces toform a repeating three part bottle rack unit.

The interconnection between eight cross connectors 240, four supportbeams 230 and eight curved braces 158 is made in a similar fashion tothat described with respect to a two part unit to form a repeating threepart bottle rack unit for forming a reconfigurable modular rackingsystem.

Size and Shape

The modular racking system may be built with any desired number ofrepeating bottle rack units to form almost any desired shape, of almostany width or length. For example, a small sized modular racking systemmay include only three units (FIG. 5A) or nine units (FIG. 5B) whereas amedium sized modular racking system may include 25 units (FIG. 5C) and alarge modular racking system may include 50 units (FIG. 5D) and so on.

FIG. 5E illustrates a modular racking system may be built for forming asingle L-shaped modular racking system for the display and storage ofbottles to suit a 90-degree corner. An L-shaped corner unit may be usedto make use of otherwise lost or void corner spaces of homes,restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen and the like Similarly, amodular racking system may be built into different shapes such as anH-shaped modular racking system (FIG. 5F), an under stair modularracking system (FIG. 5G) and the like.

Accessories Extended Curved Brace

FIG. 6A illustrates an extended curved brace 248 including a combinationof two flat metallic sections 250 having two opposite ends 250 a, 250 bthat are curved in opposing directions. The two opposite ends of theextended curved braces are threaded into a curved groove of astar-shaped ends in a similar fashion to that of a two or three partbottle rack unit.

An extended curved brace 248 may be provided to build a modular rackingsystem in particular, to fit spaces with an angled corner. This allowthe modular racking system to conform to any desired available cornerspace, thereby providing a pleasant aesthetic appearance.

45 Degree Curved Brace

FIG. 6B illustrates a 45-degree curved brace 252 including one flatmetallic section 254 having two opposite ends 254 a, 254 b that arecurved in opposing directions wherein one end 254 c of the flat metallicsection is bent at a 45-degree angle. The 45-degree curved brace may besuitable for a 45-degree corner space. It may be used in the modularracking systems using an extended curve brace.

U-Shaped Curved Brace

FIG. 6C illustrates a U-shaped curved brace 258 including a U-shapedmetallic section 256 having two opposite ends 256 a, 256 b that arecurved in opposing directions. A U-shaped curved brace is particularlyuseful for modular racking systems having an angled-top display unit. Itmay be used in the modular racking systems using an extended curvebrace.

Several shapes may be built using extended curved braces 248, 45-degreecurved braces 252 or U-shaped curved braces 258 including but notlimiting to angled corner units, angled top units, and the like.

Angled-Corner Modular Racking System

An angled-corner modular racking system may be provided with at leastone pair of extended curved braces 248 and at least one pair of45-degree curved brace 252. FIG. 7A illustrates an angled corner modularracking system including three pairs of extended curved braces 248positioned at the top-back, middle-back and bottom-back, three pairs of45-degree curved braces 252 position at top-front, middle-front andbottom-front, and nine elongated supports 100.

An angled-corner modular racking system may be further interconnectedbetween two modular racking systems to form a large angled modularracking system. In an angled-corner modular racking system, the bottlesare displayed at a 90-degree angle. An angled-corner modular rackingsystem may be used to make use of otherwise lost or void corner space ofhomes, restaurants, pubs, bars, hotel rooms, kitchen or the like.

Angled-Top Modular Racking System

An angled-top modular racking system may be provided with at least onepair of extended curved brace 248 positioned at the angled top of amodular racking system wherein the top elongated support members aresupported by at least one U-shaped curved brace 258.

FIG. 7B illustrates an angled top modular racking system for displayingbottles at a 45-degree or 90-degree angle including a nine-unit modularracking system, two pairs of extended curved brace 248 positioned at thetop-back and three U-shaped curved braces 258 positioned at thetop-front, and four additional elongated supports 100 positioned at anangled-top wherein each elongated support is interconnected between oneof the ends of extended curved brace and two ends of U-shaped curvedbrace.

The angled-top modular racking system may be placed in any spacesuitable for fitting an angled-top unit. They may also be used in spacessuch as mini-bars where the ceilings may be angled, and which mayotherwise be suitable to fit the angled-top modular racking systemtherein.

Wall Saddle

For the modular racking systems greater than 1.2 meters in height,optional wall saddle 242 are provided (FIG. 8A) for fixing assembledrack to a wall by anchoring the saddle 242 to a solid wall or otherstructure using typical tethering anchors (not shown) suitable foranchoring to the desired structure. Tethering anchors are threadedthrough wall saddle apertures 244 to fix the modular racking system inplace (FIG. 8B). Wall saddles allow for stability and anchorage of themodular racking system to a fixed point, as the weight of the unit isstabilised but remains on the footprint of the modular racking system.

Throughout this specification the word “include”, or variations such as“includes” or “including”, will be understood to imply the inclusion ofa stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers orsteps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, orgroup of elements, integers or steps.

All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporatedby reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices,articles or the like which has been included in the presentspecification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for thepresently disclosed subject matter. It is not to be taken as anadmission that any or all of these matters form part of the related artbase or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to thepresently disclosed subject matter as it existed in Australia orelsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

While the presently disclosed subject matter has been described above interms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the presentlydisclosed subject matter is not limited to these disclosed embodiments.Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications andother embodiments will come to the mind of those of ordinary skill inthe art to which this presently disclosed subject matter pertains, andwhich are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and theappended claims.

It is indeed intended that the scope of some embodiments should bedetermined by proper interpretation and construction of the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification andthe attached drawings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular assembly for housing at least oneobject, the modular assembly comprising: multiple elongated supportmembers that each include an elongated body portion and a pair ofseparated connecting ends, each connecting end defining multiple groovesthat are each at least partially non-linear; and multiple brace membersthat each include a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear endportions, each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of thegrooves of the connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portionof one brace member is able to at least partially occupy one groove ofone connecting end of one support member while the other non-linear endportion of the one brace member is able to at least partially occupyanother groove of another connecting end of another support member, themultiple brace members being configured such that partially occupyingthe non-linear end portions of the multiple brace members in the groovesof the multiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient forhousing the at least one object.
 2. The modular assembly of claim 1,wherein each elongated body portion is unitary.
 3. The modular assemblyof claim 1, wherein each of the connecting ends defines an end face andmultiple other faces that are each approximately perpendicular to theend face, each of the grooves being open at the end face and one of theother faces.
 4. The modular assembly of claim 3, wherein each non-linearend portion is configured for insertion into each groove via the openingat the end face.
 5. The modular assembly of claim 1, wherein each bracemember is configured such that the central portion is linear, and thenon-linear portions are disposed at opposing ends of the linear centralportion to form non-linear end portions.
 6. The modular assembly ofclaim 5, wherein each non-linear end portion includes a curved sectionthat spans approximately 90°.
 7. The modular assembly of claim 6,wherein each non-linear end portion includes a linear section disposedat an end of the curved section opposite the central portion, such thatan end of the linear section defines a face that is approximatelyperpendicular to a face of the central portion.
 8. The modular assemblyof claim 5, wherein each brace member is configured such that thenon-linear end portions extend from the central portion in oppositedirections such that each brace member is approximately S-shaped.
 9. Themodular assembly of claim 1, wherein each elongated support member isformed from a polymeric material.
 10. The modular assembly of claim 1,wherein each brace member is formed from stainless steel.
 11. Themodular assembly of claim 10, wherein each brace member is formed frombrushed stainless steel.
 12. The modular assembly of claim 1, whereineach brace member is configured such that the non-linear end portionshave dyadic rotational symmetry.
 13. The modular assembly of claim 1,wherein each connecting end defines a pair of grooves such thatnon-linear end portions of two different brace members are able to atleast partially occupy the pair of grooves, such that the centralportions of the two different brace members are perpendicular.
 14. Themodular assembly of claim 1, wherein each connecting end also defines asecond pair of grooves such that non-linear end portions of another twodifferent brace members are able to at least partially occupy the secondpair of grooves, such that the central portions of the other two bracemembers are perpendicular.
 15. The modular assembly of claim 1, whereinthe multiple support members and the multiple brace members can beconfigured to form a prism-shaped assembly.
 16. The modular assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the object is a 750 millilitre wine bottle, and theelongated support members and the brace members are configured such thatthe central portions and the body portions are of a sufficient lengthsuch that the space is sufficient to house the 750 millilitre winebottle.
 17. The modular assembly of claim 16, wherein each body portionis longer than each central portion.
 18. A method of manufacturing amodular assembly that is configurable to house at least one object, themethod comprising: forming multiple elongated support members that eachinclude an elongated body portion and a pair of separated connectingends, each connecting end defining multiple grooves that are each atleast partially non-linear; and forming multiple brace members that eachinclude a central portion and a pair of spaced non-linear end portions,each non-linear end portion being shaped to occupy one of the grooves ofthe connecting ends, such that one non-linear brace portion of one bracemember is able to at least partially occupy one groove of one connectingend of one support member while the other non-linear end portion of theone brace member is able to at least partially occupy another groove ofanother connecting end of another support member, the multiple bracemembers being configured such that partially occupying the non-linearend portions of the multiple brace members in the grooves of themultiple elongated support members defines a space sufficient forhousing the at least one object.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising forming each brace member unitarily.
 20. The method of claim18, further comprising forming each elongated support member from apolymeric material.